Europe - Spain

1

Commercial, corporate and M&A

Clifford Chance

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One of the preeminent law firms in Spain for transformative M&A, Clifford Chance routinely handles a significant volume of large-cap deals in a variety of industries on behalf of major multinational and domestic public corporations, privately-held companies, and financial investors. With a strong presence in the country’s two transactional centres, the M&A practice has been particularly active in the energy, infrastructure, TMT, insurance, financial services and sports sectors as of late. Lauded by clients for his ‘strong negotiation skills and strategic advice’, department leader Luis Alonso is a reference for energy and sports-related deals. The latter is a key area of activity for counsel Pablo Murcia. Managing partner Jaime Velázquez remains a key point of contact for global and Spanish blue-chip clients. With a special focus on financial investors and private equity matters, Javier Amantegui is another name to note in the team. Javier Hermosilla and Miguel Barredo possess a proven track record in domestic and cross-border business transactions. Guillermo Guardia oversees the corporate group in Barcelona, and is singled out for his experience in both M&A and financing deals.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Clifford Chance is my law firm of reference as in my opinion, they have the best corporate team in the Spanish market. I would highlight that they integrate very well with our internal teams, they understand and know our business well and provide commercially oriented and practical advice.'

  • ‘Luis Alonso's very strong negotiation skills and strategic advice set him apart. He makes a very good team with counsels Pablo Murcia and Javier Hermosilla who are also excellent M&A lawyers.'

  • ‘Luis Alonso has the unique ability to negotiate and protect the interests of his clients. ’

  • ‘Strengths: technical knowledge, availability, innovative solutions, negotiating and strategic capacity, language proficiency, firm with an extensive network of offices in different countries.’

  • ‘Guillermo Guardia: technical knowledge, innovative solutions, and strategic negotiation skills.’

  • ‘Samuel Rosas: a technically impeccable professional with great communication skills, who makes it very easy to understand the operations and legal risks for the company's interlocutors and the people who make the decisions. Always establishes clear recommendations taking into account the client's business reality. Jaime Velázquez: great negotiation skills. Technically outstanding, very quick in analysis and decision making.’

  • ‘It is a complete and multidisciplinary team that goes hand in hand with the client, not only providing solutions but also anticipating the problems that arise. Diligent. Continuous and proactive collaboration. They facilitate the understanding of problems and provide imaginative solutions.'

  • ‘Pablo Murcia - Exceptional commitment to the projects, always focusing on the client's needs. Our go-to guy who takes care of everything in the best possible way from a lawyer, manager and entrepreneur perspective.’

Key clients

  • ACS
  • Cellnex
  • Telefónica
  • Iberdrola
  • Real Madrid C.F.
  • Airbus
  • Banco Santander
  • F.C. Barcelona
  • European Super League Company
  • Galp
  • Cinven
  • Sixth Street
  • Värde Partners
  • Norges Bank
  • Ardian
  • Carrefour
  • China Three Gorges
  • Blackstone
  • A22 Sports Management
  • Key Capital Partners
  • Arjun Infrastructure Partners
  • Esdec Solar Group
  • Generali
  • Grenergy
  • RES (Renewable Energy Systems)

Work highlights

  • Advised Norges Bank, through its investment branch Norges Bank Investment Management, on its acquisition of a 49% interest in a 1.3 GW portfolio of solar plants and onshore wind farms in Spain from Iberdrola.
  • Advised Generali on the acquisition of Liberty Seguros from Liberty Mutual for €2.3bn.
  • Continues to act for European Super League Company and A22 Sports Management in all aspects related to the ongoing formation of The Super League.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Jaime Velázquez

Hall of fameClifford Chance LLP

Jaime Velázquez specialises in M&A and corporate finance, mainly focused in regulated sectors such as financial, infrastructure, telecoms or energy sectors. Jaime has been the Legal Counsel for the Spanish Inland Revenue in Cataluña, Secretary of the Board of Directors and Legal Counsel for the State-owned Bank (ICO), Secretary of the Board of Directors of a private equity house (Axis S.G.E.C.R., S.A.) and General Secretary and Secretary of the Board of the Telecommunications Market Commission. Jaime leads the Clifford Chance Industrial and Financial Institutions groups in Spain.

Rising stars

Leading individuals

Guillermo Guardia

Guillermo Guardia

Clifford Chance LLP

Guillermo Guardia has broad experience in international mergers and acquisitions, private-equity and joint-venture transactions. Guillermo has also advised several national and international financial institutions and corporations on acquisition finance, corporate financing and project finance transactions both in the energy and in the infrastructure sector.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Luis Alonso

Other key lawyers

Jaime Velázquez, Javier Amantegui, Samir Azzouzi, Guillermo Guardia, Pablo Murcia, Javier Hermosilla, Javier Olabarri, Miguel Barredo, Samuel Rosas

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